St Kilda penguin photos: the breeding year, stage by stage

Eight photographs and eight one-line captions. That was the whole photo gallery on the old version of this site, archived by the Wayback Machine in 2011 and 2012, and people still go looking for it. This page is our rebuild of those St Kilda penguin photos as a walk through the little penguin breeding year, […]
Why little penguins can’t fly, but swim like torpedoes

Little penguins traded flight for speed underwater. Here’s why Eudyptula minor’s wings evolved into flippers built for swimming, not flying.
What the guides actually do at a St Kilda penguin viewing session

What guides at a St Kilda penguin viewing session actually do, and the questions worth asking them during your hour on the boardwalk.
Why almost no penguins actually breed on mainland Australia

Of 17-18 penguin species worldwide, only the little penguin breeds on mainland Australia. Here’s why, and what it means for the St Kilda colony.
Heatwaves are the new threat St Kilda’s penguins can’t outswim

Climate-driven heatwaves are a growing risk for St Kilda’s little penguins, an urban colony with a fixed rock wall and nowhere cooler to go.
St Kilda dusk visit vs the Phillip Island Penguin Parade

A dusk visit to St Kilda’s wild colony differs from the Phillip Island Penguin Parade in cost, scale and setting. Here’s an honest comparison.
Getting to St Kilda Pier: tram, train, car and where to park at dusk

A practical guide to getting to St Kilda Pier by tram, train or car, and where to park at dusk before the little penguins come ashore.
Why off-leash dogs are the biggest threat to St Kilda’s penguins

Off-leash dogs are one of the biggest threats to St Kilda’s little penguins. Here’s why a lead-free minute on the breakwater can undo a season’s work.
Boat traffic and propeller strike risk at the St Kilda breakwater

St Kilda’s little penguins share a working harbour with constant boat traffic. Here’s what propeller strike risk actually means for the colony.
How St Kilda’s little penguins cope when Melbourne cooks

When Melbourne hits 40 degrees, how do little penguins survive the heat on the exposed St Kilda breakwater? Here’s what actually protects them.

